In 2000, Australia's economic demonstrated resources (EDR) of bauxite, brown coal, copper, diamond, magnesite, mineral sands (ilmenite, rutile, and zircon), nickel, phosphate, tantalum, uranium and vanadium increased, while those of black coal, gold, iron ore, manganese ore and lithium decreased. EDR of zinc, lead and silver were maintained at levels similar to those reported in 1999. The reductions in EDR were due mainly to ongoing high levels of production; commodity prices were a subsidiary factor. EDR of bauxite, diamond, magnesite, nickel and tantalum increased by over 15% following reviews of resources information that became available during the year. EDR of nickel again reached record levels and at 20 Mt is now 45% of total identified resources for this commodity. Gold EDR decreased by just over 1% to 4959 t. This along with the continued declining trend in net growth in non-EDR for gold and other factors, lead AGSO - Geoscience Australia to suggest that increased exploration expenditure is required to ensure a sustainable sector in Australia. Australia, however, continues to rank as one of the world's leading mineral resource nations. It has the world's largest EDR of lead, mineral sands, nickel, tantalum, uranium and zinc. In addition, its EDR is in the top six worldwide for bauxite, black coal, brown coal, copper, cobalt, copper, gold, iron ore, lithium, manganese ore, rare earth oxides and gem/near gem diamond. Mineral exploration expenditure fell by 19% to $676.3 million in 1999-2000, which was marginally higher than the low point registered in the last cyclical downturn in 1992-93. Spending for calendar year 2000, based on the sum of ABS four-quarter figures, was down by $42.9 million to $676.4 million - essentially the same as for 1999-2000. Production of many mineral commodities reached record levels in 1999-2000, and overall mine production is projected by ABARE to rise by around 8% in the five years to 2005-06. Growth in mine output over this period is expected for nickel (55%), copper (7%), zinc (9%), bauxite and alumina (6% and 9%) and iron ore (15%). The high level of investment activity in the minerals industry since the early 1990s, is expected to continue to fall in coming years, according to ABARE and ABS.

Geoscience Australia provides information on the nation's future capacity to produce mineral resources. Australia's Identified Mineral Resources is an annual nation-wide assessment of Australia's ore reserves and mineral resources. All major and a number of minor mineral commodities mined in Australia are assessed. Australia's economic demonstrated resources (EDR) of the following mineral commodities increased during 2005 - bauxite, cobalt, diamond (gem and industrial), iron ore, manganese, nickel, rutile, silver, uranium, zinc and zircon. EDR of black coal, copper, gold and tantalum decreased in the same period. EDR for brown coal, magnesite, molybdenum, niobium, platinum group metals, shale oil, and vanadium remained at levels similar to those reported in 2005. Increases in EDR were due to on-going drilling and evaluation of known deposits resulting in the transfer (re-assessment) of resources from inferred or sub-economic categories into EDR, and discoveries of new deposits or extensions of known deposits. A few mining companies re-estimated ore reserves and mineral resources more conservatively, notably in regard to black coal, to comply with the requirements of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code).

A map showing the distribution of selected mines and mineral depsosits for a range of commodities. It also shows the distribution of petroleum resources in basic form. The map base is the georegions of Australia

Magmatic-related uranium resources are globally significant. Nevertheless, this class of uranium mineralisation is poorly represented among Australia's total known resources. This is despite the presence of numerous uranium-rich magmatic events distributed across a large part of the country, and across a vast span of geological time. To assess the potential for magmatic-related uranium mineral systems in Australia, three maps have been produced showing the uranium contents of Australian igneous rocks. Geological datasets incorporating both solid and surface geology, as well as geochemical data, have been compiled from a diverse range of open-file sources. This Record is intended to provide background information relating to these data sources and methodologies used in the production of the maps. The maps illustrate the large spatial extent of uranium-rich igneous rocks in Australia, with occurrences in all jurisdictions where uranium exploration is currently permitted. The maps also permit ready recognition of particularly enriched rocks on a pluton or wider scale. Identification of these areas has application to exploration for magmatic-related uranium systems, as well as certain basin-related uranium systems, where uranium-rich igneous rocks formed part of the metal source. Analysis of the compiled geochemical data reveal that high uranium content is most commonly associated with evidence of extensive fractional crystallisation. Fluorine contents, bulk rock composition, melt temperature, and temporal setting are also important. This preliminary interpretation demonstrates that an applied understanding of well-known igneous processes is able to account for the observed uranium content in uraniferous igneous rocks. Recommendations are given for future avenues of investigation into the prospectivity of Australian igneous rocks for magmatic-related uranium mineral systems, based on an understanding of the geochemical behaviour of uranium in igneous processes.

Short article describing detection of interpreted unconformity between Coolbro Sandstone and Rudall Complex rocks near the Kintyre uranium deposit, Western Australia

In 1943, an investigation was carried out on portions of the Latrobe Valley Brown Coalfield, using the electrical resistivity method, to see whether or not this method could prove useful in determining the depth to coal. At this time, the possibility of a gravity survey was discussed, and in January, 1948, gravity tests were commenced using a Humble-Truman gravimeter. Later, a substantial number of the readings were repeated with a more modern type of gravity meter, and a few new stations established. The results were subjected to a preliminary investigation soon after the completion of field work, but it was evident that a much more detailed study would be required before an interpretation could be completed. Prior to these tests, discussions took place between technical officers with a view to selecting an area for testing on which the results could be related to some of the known geological structures, and, subsequently, an area was selected in the Parish of Hazelwood for this purpose. The geology of the area, survey method, and results are discussed in this report. Accompanying geological plans are included.

The analyses of some Australian iron ores was undertaken. The results of these analyses are set down in this report. Results are given for each deposit by state.

Details concerning the reserves of iron ore in Australia have been tabulated in this report. The report provides estimates of the grade and probable reserves of ore for the known Australian deposits.

The island of Timor has attracted the attention of geologists for more than one hundred years. The first geological investigations were carried out on behalf of the Government of the Netherlands East Indies as early as 1829. This report has been compiled using information obtained during previous geological investigations, and the data supplied in existing geological reports, and comprises notes on the stratigraphy and structure of the island, with reference to oil prospects.

These maps were made initially for the PDAC 2001 International Convention. They have been published and made available via the web. There are two maps for each of the following commodities (gold, nickel, lead-zinc and copper). The first map depicts Australia's mineral occurrence locations, deposits, potential rock units and geological regions with the mineral occurrence density grid, while the second map provides an infrastructure theme and the mineral occurrence density grid. Infrastructure includes roads, railways and pipelines.